Government

Cuomo calls for tax cap renewal

Governor visits Long Island to push continued property tax control

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo renewed his call for an extension of the state property tax cap during a visit to Long Island last week. The legislation, which limits tax increases, is set to expire next year.

At the Knights of Columbus hall in Seaford on June 3, Cuomo spoke to a crowd of more than 100 local residents and elected officials about the success of the law, that went into effect in 2011. He said that property taxes grew an average of 5.6 percent per year on Long Island from 2000 to 2010, and an average of 2.1 percent annually since the tax cap was implemented.

He estimated that the average Nassau County homeowner has saved about $1,900 in property taxes over the last four years.

Cuomo said that the tax cap has provided fiscal discipline for local governments, school districts and special districts. Before the tax cap went into effect, Cuomo said businesses and residents were leaving New York because it was becoming unaffordable.

“The 2 percent cap is changing the trajectory of the state,” he said. “Every other state is slowly increasing their tax rates, and we are staying relatively flat at 2 percent. Soon, we will no longer be New York, the expensive tax state, but New York, the inexpensive tax state.”

Local taxing entities are limited to increases in total tax collections to 2 percent a year, or the consumer price index, whichever is lower. There are also various exclusions that could raise or lower that figure.

Cuomo urged residents to contact their state Assembly members and senators and tell them to vote to renew the tax cap before the legislative session ends later this month. He said if the cap is not extended, taxes would begin to skyrocket again.

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, a long-time supporter of the tax cap, also pushed for renewal of the legislation. “This is not a Democrat issue, this is not a Republican, Conservative, or Independent issue,” he said. “This is a Long Island issue. And this is an issue that all elected officials can agree on and must agree on.”

Mangano and Cuomo helped pass this bipartisan legislation back in 2011. 

Maria Brennan, a Wantagh resident since 1986, was on hand to echo Mangano’s call and introduce Cuomo. She discussed her love of living in Nassau County, but recognized the reality of the property taxes. “Since we bought our home, our taxes have skyrocketed,” she said. “It has become a situation where we struggle.”

Along with publicly supporting this legislation on the behalf of Long Islanders, Brennan is very active in the Wantagh community. She is a member of the Community Emergency Response Team, Long Island Blood Services, the Knights of Columbus and Mother’s Against Drunk Driving. 

She added, “I want to stay in Wantagh. It is a town I have grown to love, but if the taxes continue to accelerate as they are, I am going to be forced to move.”

After Cuomo delivered his call, Mary Lucere, Seaford’s Chamber of Commerce president, said, “I think he shows great concern for the middle class residents of Nassau County.” 

Brennan said she felt the governor’s message was meaningful. “I think he brought along a great point,” she said. “We all have to come together as a community and reach out to fight for this cap so we can all stay here on Long Island as a family and be able to afford it for our children and future generations.” 

The state Senate has already passed legislation that would make the tax cap permanent, but it has not been passed in the Assembly.